Smiley: A toast to La Fonda

Smiley: A toast to La Fonda

My friends who drink tell me that in addition to authentic Tex-Mex cuisine, La Fonda served a very special beverage, which they called, I believe, a “Margaret.”

There are tales of customers who went to La Fonda intending to dine and ventured into the bar first to have a before-dinner drink.

One thing led to another, and when they finally decided it was time for dinner, the kitchen had closed. (One version of this story was told to me by a young lady related to me by birth.)

My family and I have been La Fonda customers since it was near the intersection of Airline and Plank Road, by a bowling alley.

I recall that it featured a strolling guitarist and sometimes even a mariachi band.

La Fonda was noted for its loyal regulars, and an evening there could feel like a reunion. Everybody knew everybody else, and the longtime servers knew who was getting tacos and who was getting tamales before they ordered.

There are newer and fancier Mexican restaurants in town now, but I’ll miss the old place.

I might even break with tradition and toast them with one of those Margarets. …

Meaty topic

David Salbador says that old joke I mentioned about the Cajun zoo that displays recipes for the animals is no joke:

“The Louisiana pavilion at Audubon Zoo in New Orleans DOES have recipes posted as part of the animal displays.”

Strong words

Marvin Verbois, of The Villages, Fla., thinks his former Exxon co-worker Gene Duke “was stretching it a bit on biting a chunk out of strong coffee.

“I always thought when a spoon stood straight up in the middle of the cup it was strong enough.”

Stronger words

Glenn Giro, of Denham Springs, says our talk about coffee “reminded me of the story I used to tell in the Army about my aunt’s coffee.

“I told the guys she made coffee so strong you could repair inner tubes with it.

“I joked that I drank it 50-50 with milk, but my uncle ate it black.

“I told them that if I wanted a second cup, I would ask her to slice me another piece of coffee, please.

“What’s really funny is that this tale is, as they say in Hollywood, based on a true story.

“Although I never had the spoon stand up in the middle of the cup, you definitely had to drink all of it to see the bottom.”

Nice People Dept.

Joe Glass says Ted Mosterk, when he walks his dog down their street early each morning, “picks up our paper on our driveway and places it on the hood of our car.